Spring has arrived in Prague, and with it comes a plethora of colourful and lively festivals that attract visitors from all over the world. Here are some of the best and most interesting upcoming festivals. Prague Spring International Music Festival (12 May 2023 to 3 June 2024) Where: Various venues, including the Rudolfinum, the National Theatre, and the Prague Concert Hall. The 79th Prague Spring International Music Festival will be opened with Smetana’s My Country by the Berliner Philharmoniker and its chief conductor Kirill Petrenko on May 12 2024. On 16 May at the Rudolfinum, listen to Schumann’s famous song cycle for soprano and piano, Woman’s love and life, combined with songs by Scandinavian composers in a uniquely conceived programme by soprano singer Miah Persson, who has been invited to the MET and Salzburg. At the concert on 17 May at the Rudolfinum you will hear music by Italian masters of the Renaissance and Baroque performed by the icon of historically informed interpretation, Phillip Herreweghe with the Collegio Vocale Gent. On 27 May, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France under the baton of Mikko Franck will perform works by the musical impressionist Maurice Ravel at the Rudolfinum. And the...
A new Food Bank branch is set to open its doors in the heart of Prague on Wednesday, April 3rd. Located at 14 Řeznická Street, the outlet is a collaboration between the Prague 1 Municipal District and the non-profit organization Nový prostor. “We’re delighted to utilize Prague 1’s facilities for such a meaningful purpose,” said Prague Mayor Terezie Radoměřská (TOP 09). “This Food Bank will provide dignified food assistance to residents facing hardship. Even during the pandemic, our OSPOD department offered irregular support to families in need. This new branch will ensure consistent weekly access to essentials for those who require it.” “Opening a Food Bank branch in Prague 1 is fantastic news. This vital resource will not only prevent food waste but also foster solidarity within the community,” said Ivana Antalová, Councillor for Social Affairs and Accessibility for Prague 1. Food parcels distributed at the branch will include essential food items such as rice, pasta, canned goods, and other non-perishables, along with occasional pastries, vegetables, and sweets. Additionally, clients can access social rehabilitation services offered by Nový prostor. The rising cost of living, particularly energy and housing in Prague’s historic center, coupled with delays in social benefit payments, creates...
The Czech railway operator RegioJet performed its first trip on the Prague-Chop route. The overnight train from Prague with 120 passengers on board arrived at the Chop station on schedule at 10:35 Kyiv time, the railway operator’s press service reported on Thursday. As reported, from March 27, RegioJet is launching a second line to Ukraine through Slovakia to Chop in addition to the existing one through the Polish Przemysl. The route has three carriages with 140 seats, which travel as part of the Prague-Kosice train. Ticket prices range from EUR 18.9 to EUR 67.9 including meals. The night train Prague-Chop departs from Prague (the Czech Republic) at 21:52, from Kosice (Slovakia) at 06:38 am and arrives in Chop at 10:35. In the opposite direction, departure from Chop is at 17:35, from Kosice at 21:37, and arrival in Prague at 05:46 the next day. JSC Ukrzaliznytsia is launching a special transfer train No. 345/346 Chernivtsi-Chop-Uzhgorod, which will connect with the new international route Prague-Chop. Transfer train No. 345/346 Chernivtsi-Chop-Uzhgorod will depart from Chernivtsi daily at 05:30, proceed through Ivano-Frankivsk (08:13-08:27), Stryi (11:20-11:50), Mukachevo (15 :13-15:18), Chop (16:28-16:57), arrive in Uzhgorod at 17:20. In the opposite direction, departure from Uzhgorod is at...
A fire erupted at the Evropa Hotel on Wenceslas Square in Prague on Thursday afternoon, causing minor disruptions to tram services. Thick black smoke billowed from the hotel courtyard around noon, originating from roofing materials that ignited during renovation work. Sixteen fire brigades and a police helicopter responded to the scene. As a precaution, police evacuated people from the surrounding area and halted tram and car traffic on Jindřišská Street. The incident impacted trams operating on six routes (3, 5, 6, 9, 14, 24), prompting Prague’s transport company to reroute them. Police clarified that the fire occurred during hotel renovations. “Workers were evacuated from the burning hotel undergoing construction,” said police spokesperson Eva Kropachova. “We blocked nearby streets to ensure emergency services had unobstructed access.” Ulice Jindřišská je uzavřena pro tramvaje i chodce. Prohíhá zásah hasičů. pic.twitter.com/ECUSsD2jMB — Filip Horký (@FilipHorky) March 28, 2024 Firefighters quickly contained the blaze and extinguished it. By 12:43, they reported the final stage of operations – searching for hidden embers and removing charred roofing materials. The building was evacuated and the fire was quickly contained. No one was reported injured. The cause of the fire is being investigated. Would you like us to write...
The new tourist season officially gets underway in Czechia on Thursday, with castles, chateaux, and other national monuments administered by the National Heritage Institute opening their doors to the public. Most of the privately owned monuments that still belong to their original aristocratic owners also open ahead of the Easter holidays. Visitors can expect a combination of familiar favorites and exciting new offerings, including extended opening hours, newly accessible areas, and special Easter programs at some locations. However, be prepared for slightly higher entrance fees at many state-run castles and chateaus this year. Increased Costs Lead to Ticket Price Adjustments The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) has implemented price hikes ranging from CZK 20 to CZK 60 at some monuments. This decision reflects rising operational costs and reduced funding from the Ministry of Culture. The good news? Entrance fees remain unchanged at roughly a quarter of the monuments. Additionally, 100 NPÚ-managed sites will be open daily throughout the Easter holidays, with some offering special themed events. Further enhancements are underway at Český Krumlov State Castle and Chateau, with the fully restored Bellarie Summer Palace opening on a new visitor route starting in September. The Golden Crown Monastery will also unveil its...
Czech intelligence has busted a Moscow-financed network that spread Russian propaganda and wielded influence across Europe, including in the European Parliament, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Wednesday. The group used the Prague-based Voice of Europe news site to spread information seeking to discourage the European Union from sending aid to Ukraine, which has been battling a Russian invasion since February 2022. Fiala said the Czech Security Information Service (BIS) discovered that the pro-Russian network was indulging in activities that “would have a serious impact on the security of the Czech Republic and the EU.” “This group sought to carry out operations and activities on EU territory aimed against the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine,” Fiala told reporters. “The group’s activity… also reaches the European Parliament,” he said, refusing to disclose further details. Czech authorities have sanctioned some of those involved but the Voice of Europe continues to publish articles. The BIS said the network was financed from Russia and operating on Czech territory. “The BIS operation unveiled how Russia is wielding influence on the territory of EU member states and how it is trying to affect political processes in our countries,” it said on X, formerly Twitter....
Prague grapples with a critical housing affordability crisis, holding the distinction of having the least affordable housing in Europe. While private construction plays a role, a new analysis by non-profit housing organizations emphasizes the need for substantial political intervention. The report, presented on Tuesday, highlights a worsening situation despite existing measures by the Prague City Council. The authors propose solutions like expanding municipal housing, rent regulation, and progressive taxation on investment flats. Representatives from Arnika, Re-set, Platform for Social Housing, Tenants’ Union, and Sustainable Housing in Central Prague co-authored the study. “Despite existing policies,” stated Václav Orcígr of Arnika, the report’s editor, “the housing situation has fundamentally worsened, making Prague the European city with the most unaffordable housing.” The analysis cites a Politico report from late 2023, claiming it takes roughly 25 years of average net income to acquire a 75-square-meter apartment in Prague. The analyst Nina Fabšíková, pointed out that apartment prices have surged by 50% over the past five years, while rents have increased by 30%. Nominal wages have risen by 21%, but real wages, adjusted for inflation, have actually decreased by 15%. The report reveals that a significant portion of Prague households (up to 25%) dedicate over...
President Petr Pavel met with the leadership of the Czech counterintelligence agency, headed by its director Michal Koudelka, on Tuesday. The current security situation is the worst since World War II, the head of the Czech Counter Intelligence Service (BIS) Michal Koudelka said following a meeting with President Pavel on Tuesday. He said Russian expansionism and the possible return of Islamic terrorism to Europe are major threats to European democracies. “We cannot underestimate the risk, although we do not have any concrete information about a direct security threat to the Czech Republic,” Koudelka said. The focus of the meeting was the security landscape and potential threats, particularly from Russia and China, whose actions have long concerned the BIS. Moje návštěva v sídle BIS znamená především obnovení standardních vztahů mezi prezidentem a bezpečnostními službami, jak je to běžné i v jiných demokratických zemích. V následujících měsících postupně navštívím všechny služby. S ředitelem Koudelkou i s vedením BIS jsme jednali o… pic.twitter.com/vvFy4BfgJQ — Petr Pavel (@prezidentpavel) March 26, 2024 Koudelka highlighted the looming threat of a resurgence of Islamic terrorism in Europe. He also mentioned the challenge of illegal migration to Europe, although the BIS lacks specific intelligence on current threats. President...
Archaeologists in the Czech Republic have stumbled across an incredible find — an apparent 1,000-year-old ice skate! Archaeologist Zdeněk Schenk, who led a team of researchers, said that the ice skate was made with an animal’s bone rather than metal. “The object has a specific shape,” Schenk explained. “On one side, it is curved into a tip which has a hole drilled in it, and there is another hole at the back.” According to the outlet, the ice skate was discovered in the city of Přerov during a “rescue” excavation in the basement of a home in the area. During the interview, Schenk said that the centuries-old innovation was resistant to rust thanks to the material being built from the bone of an animal, though it is unknown what type of mammal remains were used. He said it may have been made from a horse bone. He also described how the ice skates were made. “[The holes] were used to thread a strap through, which was used to attach the skate to a shoe or to a wooden sledge,” Schenk said. The researcher also added that there are not enough biological remnants to accurately date the archeological find, however, by...
SunExpress is launching a new direct seasonal route between Prague and Izmir, Turkey’s third-largest city. The flights will operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, from June 5th to September 29th, 2024. Affordable Travel with Checked Baggage Included Tickets are already available for purchase, with one-way fares starting from a budget-friendly CZK 3,000. This price includes a checked baggage allowance of up to 30kg, eliminating the need for additional fees. The flight time is approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes. Departures from Prague will be at 9:40 PM, while flights from Izmir will take off at 7:00 PM. SunExpress will operate the route using Boeing 737-800 or 737 MAX 8 aircraft, both configured to comfortably seat 189 passengers. Additional Option: Smartwings Enters the Market Starting May 30th, Czech airline Smartwings will also offer flights between Prague and Izmir. Their service will operate on Mondays and Thursdays. However, it’s important to note that Smartwings’ one-way fares start from CZK 4,900 and do not include checked baggage in the base price. Located on the eastern coast of the Aegean Sea, Izmir boasts a population of 2.96 million, making it Turkey’s third-largest city. Surrounded by rolling hills, the city enjoys a typical...
The direct railway connection between Prague and Kladno, including a link to Václav Havel Airport, is progressing. On Monday, the Railway Administration received the final approval for the Prague-Václav Havel Airport station, marking a major step forward for the project. The new railway will be double-tracked and electrified, enabling trains to travel outside Prague at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour. With departures planned every ten minutes, journeys will be significantly faster and more frequent. “Currently, the connection between Prague and Kladno, the largest city in Central Bohemia, relies on a single-track, non-electrified line,” stated an earlier press release from Prague 7 regarding the project. “This outdated infrastructure simply cannot meet the demands of modern, high-capacity rail transport.” The project also includes the modernization of existing stations and the addition of six new stops along the route. Construction is planned to minimize disruption to residents and the environment, while maximizing infrastructure improvements. This significant upgrade will be particularly beneficial for residents of Kladno, Central Bohemia’s largest commuter hub. The modernization of the Praha-Bubny – Praha-Výstaviště line is already underway. For the section connecting Prague-Výstaviště to Prague-Dejvice, the planning decision documentation is complete and submitted for approval. Získali jsme...
This Wednesday, March 27th, Prague commuters are in for a delightful Easter surprise! For a few hours, between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, the Hradčanská tram stop (heading away from the city center) will be transformed into the “Velikonoční (Easter) stop”. Filip Drápal, spokesperson for Ropid, the organization responsible for public transport planning in Prague, announced the festive event. Passengers waiting at the specially decorated shelter will be greeted by a friendly Mr. Hare who will be handing out chocolate eggs. But that’s not all! To partake in the Easter merriment, passengers can sing a classic carol, make a wish, or even paint their own special Easter eggs. Additionally, everyone will receive a commemorative spring badge and informational brochures about public transport in Prague. This Easter-themed event follows the success of Ropid’s previous “Dreamy” and “Christmas” tram stop makeovers organized last year. “We plan to continue hosting these enjoyable one-day events throughout the year,” Drápal revealed. “Upcoming events are expected in early May and early summer.” “These events are part of our ‘My Time’ campaign,” he explained. “Our goal is to showcase public transport in a new light, highlighting its benefits and making daily commutes more enjoyable for our passengers.”...
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